Minister for Resources Guy Barnett said that a key plank of the Hodgman Government’s plan for our native forest industry is to provide new opportunities for the private sector.

“We have made clear that private companies will be offered the chance to harvest trees from our Future Potential Production Forests earlier to help meet the legislated wood supply requirements.” Mr. Barnett said.

State-owned forestry business, to be known as Sustainable Timber Tasmania will not harvest on public land outside the Permanent Timber Production Zone.

“We have also announced we will look to the private forest estate to support efforts to deliver 137,000 cubic metres of high quality sawlog each year.”

Private forest managers, growers and harvesters such as AKS Forest Solutions Pty Ltd are supportive of the Government’s plan not only because it provides more opportunities for growth, but also greater certainty.

“Steps that I outlined in my Ministerial Statement on Wednesday are all about delivering security, resource security, financial security and job security.” Mr. Barnett said.